Former-Vice President and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay formally launched his candidacy for the Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 8, the official start of the campaign period of aspirants running for national positions in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
Binay, together with his supporters and officials, led the campaign with a series of events in the province of Batangas. He is also set to visit the provinces of Quezon and Laguna this week.
The former-VP said that he intends to pursue legislation that will provide the needed government assistance for sectors adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic lockdown.
“Kailangang matulungan natin na makaahon agad ang mga manggagawa sa gobyerno at sa pribadong sektor, ang maliliit na negosyante, at lahat ng sektor na naapektuhan ng pandemya (We must help our government and private sector workers, small businesses, and all sectors affected by the pandemic)," Binay said.
Binay explained that he will immediately propose a Family Care Program for government and private sector workers.
He said the program will provide food and cash aid, paid family leaves, interest free loans, and deferment or condonation of housing loans for working parents unable to report for work in order to care for their children.
Binay also proposed additional benefits for family members caring for their sick and elderly parents such as free medicine and hospital care for their loved ones, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“Rebuilding the economy is a national imperative. While doing so, government must also continue to extend aid to the poor and other sectors displaced by the pandemic and the extended lockdown. It must do so with urgency, efficiency, and a sense of compassion that recognizes basic human dignity instead of debasing it,” the former VP said.
“Needless to state, the executive and the legislative must be aligned in purpose and dedication in this time of crisis,” he added.
Binay filed his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for senator on Oct. 7 last year, and is running under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), where he is party chairman.
He is also a guest candidate of presidential aspirants Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senator Manny Pacquiao.